Electrical distribution system for personal water craft and recreational vehicles

ABSTRACT

An electrical distribution system for personal water craft and recreational vehicles. The primary components include a digital switching device; a series of power lines; and one or more remote controls, a control panel, or both. The digital switching device is preferably a bank of solid state relay switches controlled by an MCU. The control panel also has an MCU. The control panel MCU communicates with the digital switching device MCU. This allows signals from the control panel to travel on a single communication cable to the digital switching device, significantly reducing the control panel footprint compared to prior art control panels. When a radio frequency (RF) receiver is provided, the electrical distribution system may receive signals from a remote control. The remote control may be utilized in addition to or in lieu of the control panel. Power lines run from the digital switching device to wherever power is desired in the vessel. When used with a recreational vehicle having multiple motor driven accessories, the electrical circuitry to the various motors is structured in a daisy chain to permit the digital switching device to activate only one motor at a time and not permit more than one motor to be operating at any given time.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims benefit of provisional U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/453,236, filed Feb. 1, 2017, and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/886,792 filed on Feb. 1, 2018, which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention: The invention relates to electrical control anddistribution systems in general and to electrical control anddistribution systems designed for use in kayaks and other personal watercraft, as well as, in recreational vehicles such as ATVs and RVs, inparticular.

Prior Art: Small, personal water craft, such as kayaks are quitepopular. They allow boaters the opportunity to reach shallow waters,difficult to access with larger craft. One of the features of the kayakthat allows them to reach otherwise inaccessible waters is their smallsize and slight draft. That advantage becomes a disadvantage if the userdesires to provide any electrically powered additions to the watercraft. Space is at a premium in most kayaks. If the operator wishes tocarry food and drink, fishing and/or photographic equipment, or campingand other gear, the boats can become decidedly cramped. Having wiresrunning through the areas of the vessel intended for the operator and/orcargo is not desirable. Similarly, any electrical system in a kayakshould be easily controllable. Operators need to be able to control theelectrical components from where they are. If the operator is sitting,he should be able to control all of the electrical elements withouthaving to scramble around the vessel. If the operator is standing, heshould be able to control the electrical elements without having to sitor squat in the boat. Moving from a standing to a sitting positionshould be minimized, as each such transition increases the risk of afall into the water.

Most kayaks are molded plastic, typically with a double wall thatcreates a hollow interior. They arrive sealed and the hollow interiormust remain sealed to preserve the kayak's buoyancy. However, the hollowinterior offers a natural space for running wires for electricaldistribution. Having an electrical distribution system that allows forafter-market installation within the hollow interior while maintainingthe water-tight configuration of the hull is desirable.

Kayaks offer transportation on excursions that are usually necessarilyminimalist in terms of gear. Batteries are heavy. Accordingly,additional batteries are often not something that can be carried easily.Likewise, a generator or recharging device will seldom be available.Solar recharging devices are possible, but solar charging is slow.Electrical distribution systems that minimize loss of electrical poweris, therefore, another desirable feature.

In ATVs and RVs it is desirable that controls for the various poweredaccessories of the ATV or RV can be easily accessed by the driver. It isfurther desirable that the electrical and distribution control systemscan be easily retrofitted into existing ATVs and RVs. It is stillfurther desirable that these control systems can be installed withminimum wiring and positioned to minimize interference with existingsystems of the ATVs and RVs.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical distributionsystem that can be used in small water craft and other applicationswhere space is at a premium.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electricaldistribution system with a minimal footprint.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an electricaldistribution system that is easy to install.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an electricaldistribution system that can be installed without compromising theintegrity of a vessel with respect to water-tightness.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an electricdistribution system that can be controlled remotely.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an electronicdistribution system that can easily synchronize with remote electronicsfor remote control of the system via the remote electronic device.

It is still another object of the invention to minimize parasitic lossof electrical charge when the electronic distribution system is not inuse.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a means formounting electrical ports on the exterior hulls of vessels thatmaintains the integrity of the hull.

It is another object of the invention to provide a Bluetooth or WiFienabled digital switching system that can be controlled by an app.

It is another object of the invention to provide a digital electroniccontroller that can be mounted in a steering wheel of a recreationalvehicle or affixed to a mount constructed to be attached to arecreational water vessel without impacting the waterproof integrity ofthe recreational water vessel.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a digitalswitching system for use in a conventional RV or motor home or trailerhome that reduces the wiring required and requires less power toactivate the various electrical and motor driven components of the RV.

These and other objects and purposes of the invention shall becomeapparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electrical distribution system is disclosed. The primary componentsinclude a digital switching device, a series of power lines and either acontrol panel, at least one remote control device or both a controlpanel and one or more remote control devices. The digital switchingdevice is preferably a bank of solid state relay switches controlled bya microcontroller or MCU. The control panel is also provided with anMCU. The MCU on the control panel communicates with the MCU in thedigital switching device. This allows the signals from the control panelto be carried on a single communication cable to the digital switchingdevice. That means there need only be one wire connecting the controlpanel to the digital switching device, significantly reducing thefootprint of the control panel compared to prior art control panels.When a radio frequency (RF) receiver is provided, the electricaldistribution system may receive signals from a remote control. Thosesignals will be transmitted to the MCU in the digital switching device,allowing the remote to control the relay bank in the same manner as thecontrol panel. The remote control may be utilized in addition to or inlieu of the control panel. It is preferred that radio frequency beselected to accommodate use of Bluetooth devices. By utilizing Bluetoothor other similar protocols, the RF receiver may synchronize with thirdparty electronic devices such as smart phones to allow the controlsignals to be sent from the third party electronic device to the RFreceiver, which will then transmit them to the MCU in the digitalswitching device. Power lines run from the digital switching device tothe various locations where power is desired. Quick connections betweenthe power lines and the digital switching device make installation ofthe power lines easy to accomplish. An outlet configured to form a watertight seal with the hull exterior is also disclosed. In another aspectof the invention an app installed in a smart phone or hard drive can beused to control the functions of the digital switching system. In apreferred embodiment the digital switching system is constructed to onlypermit activation of one motor driven component at a time and to permitactivation of another motor driven component only when the first motordriven component action has been completed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the electricaldistribution system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating installation of a preferredembodiment of the electrical distribution system in a kayak.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating installation of a preferredembodiment the electrical system in a vessel positioning the battery inthe hull of a vessel.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating installation of a preferredembodiment of the electrical system using a battery box in the hull of avessel.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating installation of a preferredembodiment of the electrical system using a battery box outside the hullof a vessel.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the digitalswitching device and cables extending therefrom.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the digital switchingdevice installed in the hull of a vessel adjacent to a battery.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a power cable.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a control panel.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a power line,shown coiled.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacleattached to a power line.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacleshown installed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a throughhull receptacle attached to a power line.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of adisassembled through hull receptacle.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a disassembledthrough hull receptacle.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a throughhull receptacle installed.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an LED lightstrip installed in a through hull receptacle.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of an LED lightstrip and a through hull receptacle.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a buttonlight.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a button light.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a remotecontrol and a radio frequency receiver.

FIG. 22 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the one buttonwireless keypad controller that can be affixed to a mount for attachingto a water craft or recreational vehicle.

FIG. 23 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of amulti-button wireless keypad controller that can be affixed to a mountfor attaching to a water craft or recreational vehicle.

FIG. 24 is an exploded three-quarter top view of the wireless keypadcontroller of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is and exploded three-quarter bottom view of the wireless keypadcontroller of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a wireless keypad controller that canbe affixed in a mount which can be affixed to an existing surface of thewater craft or recreational vehicle by screws or other securing means.

FIG. 27 is a frontal view of the wireless keypad controller affixed tothe steering wheel used in number of vehicles, such as golf carts,recreational vehicles (RVs) and similar vehicles.

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of a steering wheel having the wirelesskeypad controller affixed to the center axis of the steering wheel.

FIG. 29 is a side view of the wireless keypad controller mounted on thesteering wheel of a vehicle.

FIG. 30 is a top view of a conventional RV with its top removedillustrating where the various components of a preferred embodiment ofthe digital switching system used to control 12 volt devices.

FIG. 31 is a system communication schematic diagram.

FIG. 32 illustrates the wiring of the controllers and those componentswhich can receive a Bluetooth or WiFi signal.

FIG. 33 is a detailed schematic view of a controller.

FIG. 34 is a detailed schematic view of another embodiment of acontroller.

DISCLOSURE OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises an electrical distribution system 1 designedparticularly for kayaks 2 and other personal water craft 3, as well ascertain land vehicles such as RVs, golf carts, and similar recreationalvehicles. The system can also be adapted for use on mobile homes andsimilar structures. System 1 includes a digital switching device 4.Digital switching device 4 is preferably a solid state relay switch bank5 with a microcontroller unit (MCU) 6. An MCU 6 is essentially amini-processor contained on a single chip. In the preferred embodimentit is configured to transfer 12 volt power from a battery 7 to aplurality of power lines 8. In the preferred embodiment there are fivepower lines 8, though greater or fewer could be provided as desired.

A control panel 9 is also provided. Control panel 9 is electricallyconnected to relay switch bank 5. Control panel 9 is provided with amaster power switch 10, which when deactivated powers off the entiresystem 1. Control panel 9 is provided with a separate switch 11 for eachrelay 12 within bank 5. Moving the first switch 11A to its on positionactivates the first relay 12A which energizes the first power line 8A.Moving the second switch 11B to its on position activates the secondrelay 12B, energizing the second power line 8B and so forth. Movingswitches 11 to their off position will deactivate the associated relay12 and de-energize the associated power line 8. Though described asswitches, the controls on control panel 9 may be buttons. The terms areused interchangeably herein.

Control panel 9 is preferably also provided with an MCU 6. The use ofMCU's in control panel 9 and relay bank 5 will allow the footprint ofthe entire electrical distribution system 1 to be significantly reduced.In conventional marine electrical systems, each switch operates aseparate circuit. Thus, a positive and a ground extend from each switchto the device being powered. A conventional control panel having onlyfour switches would have eight power lines extending from the controlpanel, requiring a relatively large control panel for even simpleelectrical systems. Each of those wires and their connection to theswitches on the control panel represent a potential point of corrosion,breakage, shortage, or failure. The MCU's allow each switch 11 incontrol panel 9 to send a signal to MCU 6. MCU 6 can then generate adigital signal that is transmitted to the corresponding MCU 6 in relaybank 5. The relay bank MCU 6 can interpret the signal from the controlpanel MCU 6 and generate a signal that will open or close each relayswitch 12. Rather than eight wires extending from a four switch controlpanel, MCUs allow one wire to extend from control panel 9 to relay bank5—regardless of whether control panel 9 has five switches or fifty. Thattranslates into a much smaller control panel 9.

A remote control 13 is also preferably provided. Remote control 13duplicates the function of control panel 9. It has a button for eachrelay switch 12 and a radio frequency (RF) transponder. Depressing abutton on remote 13 will cause the transponder to generate a signalunique to each button. An RF receiver 14 is also provided in electricalcommunication with MCU 6 in relay bank 5. Receiver 14 receives thesignal produced by the transponder, and generates a corresponding signaldirected to relay bank MCU 6. Preferably, receiver 14 includes an MCUconfigured to generate the same signals as MCU 6 in control panel 9.Thus, the input to MCU 6 in relay bank 5 will be the same, regardless ofwhether the input originates at control panel 9 or remote control 13.Thus, depressing a button on remote 13 will cause the correspondingrelay switch 12 to be activated and the associated power line 8 to beenergized. Pressing it again will cause relay switch 12 and associatedpower line 8 to be deactivated and de-energized. Remote 13 and RFreceiver 14 may be provided in addition to or in lieu of the controlpanel 9.

While the remote controls and RF receivers described herein areconventional radio frequency transponders and receivers, those of skillin the art will appreciate that Bluetooth or other wirelesscommunication technologies could be used with equal effect and in muchthe same manner. Bluetooth receivers are particularly useful. TheBluetooth format would allow the electrical distribution system to becontrolled by a variety of widely available Bluetooth compatible devicessuch as smart phones, depth finders, and GPS navigation systems.

Suitable control panels 9, digital switching devices 4, remote controls13, and RF receivers 14 may be obtained from GEEETECH of F3, Bld 150East Zone, Guan Long village, XinGao Road, Xili Town, Nanshan Dist.Shenzhen China 518000.

It will be appreciated that by configuring the master power switch 10 oncontrol panel 9 to deactivate RF receiver 13, power may be conserved.Various devices attached to battery 7 can drain power, even when thedevices are not being operated. This can be controlled by powering downthe lines 8 to which the devices are connected when they are not in use.However, RF receiver 13 must stay activated in order to respond whenremote signals are transmitted to receiver 13. This can be an insidiouscause of battery drain, drawing down power even when all of lines 8 arepowered down. Switching master power switch 10 to off will disconnectreceiver 13 from battery 7 and prevent this power loss from happening.

Digital switching device 4 is preferably connected directly to battery7. A fuse may be provided in a power cable 15 that connects battery 7and digital switching device 4 to protect switching device 4 and therest of system 1 from surges.

MCUs make grounding system 1 back to battery 7 simple. Each MCU 6 isconnected to a single ground wire which may be run back to battery 7.Thus, regardless of the number of switches 11 or relays 12, only oneground wire is required.

Each of power lines 8 are preferably grounded to switching device 4 andconnected to an outlet 16. Each outlet 16 is preferably provided withthe receptacle design suitable for the type of device intended to beutilized. In a preferred embodiment, receptacles 17 are two way male andfemale receptacles 17A designed to mate with standard two way flat maleand female connectors 18, though other outlets 16 may be used asdesired. Receptacles 17 are preferably mounted in a hole that may bedrilled into the hull 20. The hole is preferably sized so that powerline 8 will fit through the hole but the receptacle housing 19 will not.Power line 8 can be passed through the hole and run within the hollowspace in hull 20 of water craft 3 back toward the rear of the vessel 3where digital switching device 4 will typically be mounted. Receptaclehousing 19 may be screwed over the hole and may be provided with a sealor gasket to create a substantially water tight seal between housing 19and the hole. A cover 21 is preferably provided to keep moisture out ofreceptacle 17.

Receptacles 17 discussed above are primarily intended to be used foroutlets 16 positioned on the interior of vessel 3. However, it may bedesirable to mount a receptacle 17 on an exterior surface 22 of hull 20.The inventors have developed a through hull receptacle 23 for thisapplication. Through hull receptacle 23 comprises an internally andexternally threaded insert 24, preferably generally cylindrical in shapeand having an oversized head 25 at one end and an interior passageextending the length of insert 24. By drilling an appropriately sizedhole in exterior surface 22 of vessel 3, through hull receptacle 23 maybe installed. A power line 8 will be inserted through the opening andrun, within the hollow space in hull 20, to or toward digital switchingdevice 4. An appropriate receptacle 17 will be contained within anexternally threaded, preferably cylindrical, housing 26. Housing 26 willbe sized and configured to mate with the interior of insert 24. The twowill be threaded together, though they may be joined by otherconventional means or simply made as one piece. Once connected, insert24 containing housing 26 and receptacle 17 will be inserted into thehole in hull 20. At this point, power line 8 will be inside the hull 20,insert 24 will be positioned in the hole and exterior, self-tappingthreads 27 and oversized head 25 will be exterior to hull 20. By turninginsert 24, threads 27 will bite into the plastic of hull 20, pullinginsert 24 into the hole, forming a seal with hull 20, and pulling head25 down into snug, substantially water-tight contact with the exteriorsurface 22 of vessel 3. If the user has access to the area behind insert24, a nut may be screwed onto threads 27, which together with a washeror gasket, may be used to secure insert 24 to hull 20. However, when theuser does not have access to the area behind insert 24, self-tappingthreads 27 can secure insert 24 to hull 20 without a nut. A plug orcover may be provided for through hull receptacle 23 to keep moistureout of receptacle 17 when it is not in use.

Any conventional receptacle configuration may be utilized in throughhull receptacle 23. A conventional 3.5 mm female stereo receptacle for asingle plug or jack is disclosed. This is particularly advantageous whenthrough hull receptacle 23 is threaded into hull 20. A stereo jack hasno angularity. A device may be plugged into it the same way regardlessof the orientation of the receptacle. This matters because the number ofturns required to secure insert into hull 20 will depend upon thethickness of hull 20 and the length of threads 27. If receptacle 23 hasno angularity, the user can simply stop turning when insert 24 is snug,instead of needing to turn it until receptacle 17 is in a desiredorientation at the risk of stripping out the aperture.

One of the intended applications of receptacle 17 on exterior surface 22of vessel 3 will be to power lights 28. Where LED lighting is used, andespecially when color LED lighting is used, it may be desirable to havea four conductor 3.5 mm plug or jack to facilitate powering the colorLED lights.

Another receptacle option would be a DC power connection. However, theparticular receptacle configuration within insert 24 will depend on theintended application.

In another application, button lights 35 are provided. Button lights 35preferably comprise an LED light 39 permanently attached to a throughhull fitting 36. Through hull fitting 52 is preferably generallycylindrical in shape and is provided with external, self-tapping threads37. The exterior of fitting 36 is provided with a nut 38 proximate light39. Power line 8 extends from fitting 36 opposite light 39. Power line 8may be threaded through an aperture in hull 20 and through hull fitting36 inserted in the aperture. If the user can reach the inside of hull 20where button light 39 is being installed, a nut may be tightened ontothreads 37. If the user cannot reach the interior of hull 20,self-tapping threads 37 may be used to cut into the sides of theaperture, sealing fitting 36 to hull 20 and creating a water-tightconnection in much the same manner as through hull receptacle 23,described above.

Once all of power lines 8 are run through the hollow interior of hull 20to the rear or stern 29 of vessel 3, they will be attached to digitalswitching device 4. When kayak 2 or vessel 3 has a port that providesaccess to the interior of vessel 3, digital switching device 4 and powerlines 8 will preferably be joined inside hull 20. Power lines 8 exitingdigital switching device 4 are preferably provided with an easy to joinconnection configured to mate with a similar connection on the ends ofpower lines 8. In the preferred embodiment, standard two way flat maleand female connectors 18 are provided, but any conventional connectorscould be used. This allows for “plug and play” installation. Once powerlines 8 are installed, they may be simply plugged into lines 30extending from digital switching device 4, without splicing or otherelectrical manipulation.

Control panel 9 is installed in an interior hull wall in a similarmanner to receptacles 17 described above. A communication line 31extending from control panel 9 is also run within the hollow hull 20back to digital switching device 4. In the preferred embodimentcommunication line 31 is a multi-pin cable which plugs into a matingcable extending from switching device 4. The requirements ofcommunication line 31 are only that it carry minimal power to controlpanel 9, for example, enough to power MCU 6 and any display lightingprovided on panel 9, and to carry signals from panel 9 to switchingdevice 4. However, it will be advantageous to use a connection incommunication line 31 that differs from the other connections toswitching device 4 to ensure that the correct lines are connected topanel 9.

Finally, digital switching device 4 will be connected, via a power cable15, to a battery 7 or series of batteries 7 positioned within hull 20.If hull 20 is not provided with an access port, battery 7 and digitalswitching device 4 will typically be housed in a storage area near stern29 of vessel 3, but external to hull 20. Battery or batteries 7 willeither be secured directly to the deck of vessel 3 or contained within abox 32 that is secured to the deck. Digital switching device 4 will bepositioned proximate to battery 7, and power lines 8 run though theinterior of hull 20 will exit via a single aperture formed in the deckof hull 20 proximate digital switching device 4 and connected to it. Awiring harness may be provided to facilitate this connection.

Once all power lines 8 and control panel 9 have been installed andconnected to digital switching device 4 and digital switching device 4has been connected to battery 7, the user may supply power to allportions of vessel 2. In one embodiment, control panel 9 is providedwith controls for the bow 33, the mid-ship 34, stern 29, and innominatelines 1 and 2. Moving the appropriate switch 11 on control panel 9 tothe on position will energize the lines 8 leading to bow 33, stern 29,mid-ship 34 of vessel 3 or wherever the user has elected to direct lines1 or 2. This may turn on a bow light, a stern light, external LEDlighting positioned amidship, a spot light, a depth finder, a navigationsystem, an electric trolling motor, a radio, or anything else the userelects to power. Similar control may be effected utilizing remotecontrol 13 or other device connected via Bluetooth or similarcommunication protocol. The user may turn individual devices on or offby energizing or de-energizing the lines 8 to which the device isconnected. When the user desires to turn off all of the power, masterswitch 10 may be moved to the off position and vessel 2 will becompletely de-energized, thereby ensuring that battery life is preservedto the greatest extent possible.

As seen in FIG. 22 a preferred construction of the keypad controller 40having a single power button 41 operatively inserted in the top coverplate 42 of controller 40 to switch the electrical distribution system 1on or off is illustrated. As more clearly seen in FIGS. 23-25,controller 40 is shown having a “puck” style configuration althoughother shapes can be utilized. This configuration is particularly desiredwhen the keypad controller 40 is to affixed in the steering wheel 79 ofthe recreational vehicle as seen in FIGS. 27-29.

FIGS. 23-25 illustrate the controller 40 having an “on-off” powercontrol button 41, as well as multiple other control buttons 43-47 usedto activate specific circuits in the electrical distribution system 1.In this embodiment controller 40 is constructed having five basicelements: a top cover 42, a control button contact plate 48 positionedbelow and having contact members 49 operatively contacting controlbuttons 41-47, a rubber seating ring 50 having a seating ridge 51extending outward from the interior surface 52 of ring 50, the seatingridge having a top surface 53 on which control button contact plate 48rests, a battery power plate 54 to which batteries 55, 56 areoperatively attached to a RF transmitter (not shown) that is operativelyattached to the contact members 49 to transmit a signal when one of thecontact members makes contact with one of the power buttons 41, and abottom base plate 57 on which battery power plate 54 rests.

The elements of controller 40 are affixed to one another by two sets ofthree screws and/or bolts: top screws 58-60 and bottom bolts 61-63. Tofacilitate this attachment arrangement the top cover 42 is alsoconstructed having three screw seating niches 64, each withcorresponding screw openings 65 extending through the perimeter area 66of top cover 42. The control button contact plate 48, the rubber seatingring 50 and the battery power plate 54 have corresponding niches 67-69that permit screws 58-60 to pass through to bottom plate 57 that hascorresponding openings 70 positioned in the perimeter area 71 of bottombase plate 57 that is aligned with perimeter area 66 of top cover 42.Screws 58-60 can be threaded to secure the ring 50 and plates 42, 48, 54and 57 to one another or to pass through and screw into a mountingsurface (not shown). Bottom base plate 57 is provided with three boltopenings 72-74 positioned interior of the perimeter area 71. Bolts 61-63extend through openings 72-74 and then through niches 75 of batterypower plate 54, and finally be screwed into aligned threaded openings 76of ring 50.

Bottom plate 57 is also provided with a series of access openings 77 topermit inserting of programing tools to modify the operation of controlbuttons 49.

FIG. 26 illustrates puck shaped keypad controller 40 being affixed tomount 78 that can be attached by screws 7 to the surface of the watervessel or recreational vehicle.

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate puck shaped keypad controller 40 being affixed toa steering wheel 79. In this embodiment steering wheel 79 has a circularperimeter rim 80 with spokes 81 extending from hub 82 attached to thesteering column 83. Spokes 81 extend to the perimeter rim 80. The hub 82has a cavity 84 sized to permit controller 40 to be positioned in cavity84 and held in position by securing ring member 85. Power and electroniccables to controller 40 can be provided through an passageway (notshown) in steering column 83.

FIG. 30 is a schematic of a conventional recreational vehicle 86(commonly referred to as an RV) illustrating the placement of variouscomponents of the RV, the activation of which can be controlled byRP8-6M controller 87. Controller 87 may include an on-off control button87A, a motor driven bed extension control button 87B, a motor drivensofa extension control button 87C, a motor driven dinette extensioncontrol button 87D, and a motor driven awning extension control button87E. Each button 87A-87E is operatively connected to an RF transmitter501 to transmit a signal that will activate the associated motor 88-92.Button 87B will activate a motor driven bed extension accessory 88 toextend the motor driven bed extension accessory 88 of the recreationalvehicle. Button 87B will activate a motor driven sofa extensionaccessory 89 of the recreational vehicle. Button 87C will activate themotor driven dinette extension accessory 90 of the recreational vehicle.Button 87D will activate an awning extension accessory 91 of therecreational vehicle. It is preferred that the controller 87 bepositioned convenient to the power distribution location of RV 86.

FIGS. 31-32 are schematics of the electrical distribution system 1utilizing a smart phone app to transmit signals to the controller 87. Inthe configurations illustrated there are optional controllers KP14, KP8,Remote Controller RC2, DIMKP8 wireless connected and convenientlypositioned within RV 86 or carried by the driver or one of thepassengers. In these configurations the motors 88-92 controlling theslide controls 93-95 and 96 and the awning control 97 are connected indaisy chain fashion to permit only one motor at a time to operate. Thisnovel feature not only significantly reduces the amount of hard wiringtypical in a RV, but also prevents the tripping of the various fusesforming part of the electrical distribution system 1 causing loss ofpower to the various RV components.

FIG. 31 also illustrates controller DIMKP8 operatively connected to theentertainment center to activate the television controls and speakers.It also illustrates controllers CCD and CCT operatively connected toMRRM20G switch that operates the convenience center monitoring thestatus of the fresh, gray and black water tanks, the two battery banksand optionally one electrical generator of RV 86.

FIG. 32 illustrates a schematic wherein controller 87 is hardwired tothe various lighting fixtures in the recreational vehicle (RV) 86. Thecontroller 87 is Bluetooth or WiFi enabled to send control signals tothe individual controllers operating the various slide motors shown inFIG. 30, as well as direct motor connections for the leveling jacks forthe recreational vehicle (RV) 86. Also shown is an optional manualswitch 98 that can be used to activate a slide motor. If desired manualswitches can be used with any relay. This system can also include a KP14controller and/or a KP8 controller preferably affixed in position at therecreational vehicle entryway or its bedroom area. These controllers canbe positioned at other locations if desired. In addition one or more ofthese Bluetooth or WiFi enabled controllers can be provided with lanyardto enable them to be carried by or placed around the RV driver's orpassengers' necks.

These and other improvements to electrical distribution systems forpersonal water craft, recreational vehicles, and mobile homes will beapparent to those of skill in the art from the foregoing disclosure anddrawings and are intended to be encompassed by the scope and spirit ofthe following claims.

We claim:
 1. A keypad controller for use in a recreational vehicle tocontrol various motor driven components of the recreational vehiclecomprising: a. a top cover member housing one or more control buttons;b. a contact plate having contact members, one for each control button,the contact plate positioned beneath the top cover member whereby whenone of the control buttons is pushed it will operatively contact apredetermined one of the contact members; c. a seating ring memberhaving a ridge extending outward from an interior surface of the ringmember, the ridge having a top surface on which the contact plate may beseated; d. a holding plate to which is removably affixed at least onebattery and a RF transmitter operatively connected to the contactmembers to transmit a signal when one of the contact members contactsone of the control buttons; the seating ring member positioned to abutthe holding plate; e. a bottom base plate on which the holding plateabuts; and f. attaching means to affix the top cover plate, the contactplate, the seating ring member, the holding plate, and the bottom baseplate to one another.
 2. A vehicle steering wheel comprising a circularperimeter rim with one or more spokes extending from a hub centered inthe circular perimeter rim and attached to a steering column to theperimeter rim wherein the hub has a cavity sized to permit an electroniccontroller to be positioned in the cavity and held in position by asecuring ring member and wherein power and electronic cables to thecontroller can be provided through an passageway in the steering column.3. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 2 wherein thecontroller comprises: a. a top cover member housing one or more controlbuttons; b. a contact plate having contact members, one for each controlbutton, the contact plate positioned beneath the top cover memberwhereby when one of the control buttons is pushed it will operativelycontact a predetermined one of the contact members; c. a seating ringmember having a ridge extending outward from an interior surface of thering member, the ridge having a top surface on which the contact platemay be seated; d. a holding plate to which is removably affixed at leastone battery and a RF transmitter operatively connected to the contactmembers to transmit a signal when one of the contact members contactsone of the control buttons; the seating ring member positioned to abutthe holding plate; e. a bottom base plate on which the holding plateabuts; and f. attaching means to affix the top cover plate, the contactplate, the seating ring member, the holding plate, and the bottom baseplate to one another.
 4. An electrical distribution system for use witha recreational vehicle having one or more of the following motor drivencomponents; a motor driven bed extension accessory, a motor driven sofaextension accessory, a motor driven dinette extension accessory, and amotor driven awning extension accessory, the electrical distributionsystem comprising a controller comprising: a. a top cover member housingone or more control buttons; the one or more control buttons comprisingat least two or more of the following: an on-off control button, a motordriven bed extension control button operatively connected to a RFtransmitter to transmit a signal activating a motor driven bed extensionaccessory to extend the motor driven bed extension accessory of therecreational vehicle, a motor driven sofa extension control buttonoperatively connected to the RF transmitter to transmit a signalactivating the motor driven sofa extension accessory of the recreationalvehicle to extend the motor driven sofa extension accessory, a motordriven dinette extension control button operatively connected to the RFtransmitter to transmit a signal activating the motor driven dinetteextension accessory of the recreational vehicle to extend the dinetteextension accessory, and a motor driven awning extension control buttonoperatively connected to the RF transmitter to transmit a signalactivating the awning extension accessory of the recreational vehicle toextend the awning extension accessory; b. a contact plate having contactmembers, one for each control button, the contact plate positionedbeneath the top cover member whereby when one of the control buttons ispushed it will operatively contact a predetermined one of the contactmembers; c. a seating ring member having a ridge extending outward froman interior surface of the ring member, the ridge having a top surfaceon which the contact plate may be seated; d. a holding plate to which isremovably affixed at least one battery and a RF transmitter operativelyconnected to the contact members to transmit a signal when one of thecontact members contacts one of the control buttons; the seating ringmember positioned to abut the holding plate; e. a bottom base plate onwhich the holding plate abuts; and f. attaching means to affix the topcover plate, the contact plate, the seating ring member, the holdingplate, and the bottom base plate to one another.